Artown staff reduced to 3 after layoff

Sep. 27, 2009

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Earlier this month, Artown laid off development and finance director Annelise McKenzie, reducing the organization's full-time staff to three people, and executive director Beth Macmillan confirmed that the decision was made in reaction to current economic conditions.

But, Macmillan said, the move is not a sign that the organization is in trouble. Rather, she said, it was a case of "cutting back just to make sure that we stay very healthy so that we can serve the community."

"We're not in trouble," she said. "Definitely not. We're a very healthy organization with a healthy cash reserve, but you've still got to be smart as you move forward. … You don't want to get into an unhealthy situation."

Macmillan said McKenzie was laid off in the middle of September, and she emphasized that the move had nothing to do with job performance.

"It was eliminating a position to keep the organization healthy," she said.